Ascensia Diabetes Care Sponsored Workshop at ISPAD 2016 Highlights Importance of Digital Technology to Support Diabetes Self-management in Paediatrics and Adolescents

VALENCIA, Spain, Oct. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, at a workshop organized by Ascensia Diabetes Care, a renowned panel of experts highlighted the importance of digital technology to support diabetes self-management in paediatrics and adolescents. The workshop occurred at the 42^nd Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), which is taking place from 26-29 October, 2016 in Valencia, Spain.

The event, entitled "Smart Diabetes Self-Management in Paediatrics and Adolescents in the Digital Age", examined the use of mobile health and digital technologies to support self-management of diabetes in children. It concluded that mobile technology has significant potential to support self-management in this important population. However, quality and accuracy of mobile health tools in diabetes were highlighted as important considerations. There are many tools that are currently available in the market and it is important to identify mobile health apps that are safe and reliable for the treatment of children and adolescents with diabetes.

Chairing the workshop, Dr. Henk Veeze, Senior International Medical Director at Diabeter and Immediate Past Treasurer of ISPAD explained, "We know that diabetes can be difficult to manage at any age, but it can be particularly challenging for young people as they are growing up. These challenges can significantly impact their health and may lead to complications and poor outcomes. Digital tools and mobile devices have the potential to significantly improve diabetes management for young people and their parents, by helping to track the condition, by providing actionable information and by supporting self-management."  

The workshop featured presentations from Javier Ferrero, Chief Information Officer, Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality in Spain, and Dr. David Montes, Senior Paediatric Endocrinologist, Hospital de Fuenlabrada in Spain.

"The aim of new digital technologies in diabetes is to improve metabolic control of children, and apps play an important role in this target by supporting children and parents in decision making.  It is therefore essential that we improve the digital tools that are available to them. Childhood patients and their parents need accurate and effective mobile apps and tools to support self-management," explained Dr. David Montes.

Commenting on the standards and regulations for mobile app technologies in diabetes, Javier Ferrero added, "Diabetes apps have the enormous potential to dramatically change the behaviours and habits of patients, empowering them to better manage their illness. However, many diabetes apps do not meet the best practice standards of modern digital technologies. For example, non-secure apps pose a very significant risk in the hands of younger patients who may not have the ability to differentiate between reliable and trustworthy apps. Regulation and market surveillance must therefore be urgently improved in order to ensure patient safety."

ISPAD aims to promote clinical and basic science, research, education and advocacy in childhood and adolescent diabetes, and is the only international society focusing specifically on all types of childhood diabetes. The theme for the 2016 meeting is about education and new technologies to enhance diabetes care.

Michael Kloss, CEO of Ascensia Diabetes Care, said: "We are pleased to be attending the ISPAD 2016 Annual Conference and hold this educational workshop on the importance of digital technologies to support the care of childhood diabetes. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we are dedicated to supporting education on this crucial topic."

ISPAD 2016 also coincides with the launch of the CONTOUR®NEXT ONE and CONTOUR®PLUS ONE blood glucose monitoring systems by Ascensia Diabetes Care in Europe.  Each system features an easy-to-use wireless-enabled meter that seamlessly links to a smart mobile device via Bluetooth® connectivity. The data that is effortlessly captured by the CONTOUR® DIABETES App can be assessed for trends in blood glucose levels and provide actionable information.

Michael Kloss added, "The CONTOUR DIABETES app enables patterns and trends in blood glucose levels of children with diabetes to be revealed to the children themselves, their parents and their healthcare professionals. This can all help to support self-management by the entire family and healthcare team."

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care

Joseph Delahunty, FTI Consulting, [email protected], Tel: [phone]